PS on other blogs-

I thought of a few more blogs I frequent:

Ars technica is a great blog about technology - specifically about computer hardware and software, but not always. It can be very low-level, though - you'll be thigh-deep in geekdom before you know it. Very technical.

Dpreview is a great site for checking out digital cameras. They're very on top of the latest offerings from all of the manufacturers. They were just purchased by Amazon, however... so I'm not sure how long their independent integrity can last.

Dcresource is another great digital camera review site for comparison.

Camcorderinfo is similar to the previous two sites, but it strictly deals with camcorder reviews (hands-on reviews and press releases).

Further Reading

Watch for other books in the series:

HOW TO PLAY AIR DRUMS
From John Bonham to Neil Peart, learn the movements to all of their famous solos, without having to pack up the drums after the gig is over.

HOW TO PLAY AIR BASS
Don’t try and manipulate the AIR GUITAR instructions for this beast. AIR BASS is very different and requires a different skill set. Read and learn.

HOW TO PLAY AIR KEYBOARDS
Go ‘80s retro and learn to play like Thomas Dolby and Herbie Hancock: jamming like guitarists with their handheld MIDI keyboards.

HOW TO PLAY AIR PIANO
If Billy Joel and Elton John are more your style, use these instructions to play along with those end-of-the-party ballads that you can use to seal the deal.

HOW TO PLAY AIR PERCUSSION
For the moments when you’ve “gotta have more cowbell”, or you just want to be Laurie Partridge.

HOW TO LIP SYNC
If you don’t want to be an actual musician, you can always channel your inner lead singer with these subtle but effective steps. (Uses only simple verbs.)

Hitting the wall (Another Brick in the Wall?)

Biggest revision ever, but it sure doesn't look like it. So. It was heavily debated and suggested I do something to resolve an issue where the white screened-back rounded rectangles holding the text in my assignment look like they may be intending to mimic the speaker grill. They were not, they were just boxes, but some thought otherwise. One idea was to pull back the screen, but that only made the info graphics and the text muddy, since they had less contrast against the less-bright background. In fact, I had originally thought you couldn't see the speakers in the cabinet enough, so I actually went in and recreated them (simulated) in Photoshop and made them opaque enough so you couldn't tell they were fakes. I decided to pull back the fake speakers, so you really can't see them at all now, which I hope resolves the issue.

Then, it was suggested I replace the blue LED display type with green, so I went ahead and rebuilt all of those screens with a glowing green LED.

It was also recommended I add at least one additional step for "lead-guitar" work. As we all know, you can't add a single page in a booklet. I had to add four. Yowza. Since I had a step on the back (which was a no-no) I already knew I had to do a back, so now I only need 2 new pages. I made an inside cover which is black, and has ISBN info reversed, then an inside back cover (also black) that has the "Other books in the series" - also suggested. It also meant that I had to completely rebuild my "STEP" knob, since now I had 8 steps. The new back cover is an image I made to look like a transparent (made of air???) guitar.

Plenty of text changes as well.

Adding an additional spread was really hard. I went from 2 folded pages to three - and it was very difficult to keep everything aligned. I used a grid that bled (which is what killed me), which meant that the inside pages all had to line up. It took several tries, but I got it to work. I figured out last time that trimming is best left done until the booklet is assembled, since that way you know the pages all trim together evenly.

It doesn't look like I did too much, but I'm pretty sure I spent much more time on the revision that the originial.

Hot To Play Air Guitar

Step 1 – ASSEMBLE

Gather the following list of items you’ll need for your performance:
a. Music (can be Hard Rock OR Heavy Metal)
b. Secure stage perimeter (near stereo, preferably at least 8’ x 8’)
c. Wig (optional)
d. Alcholic beverages (optional, but preferable)

Step 2 – WARM-UP

Drink aggressively and put on wig (optional). Start music and crank it up. Loudly. Bob head to rhythm of music.

Step 3 – POSE

Disfigure face with aggressive/angry pose, mouth open as if engaged in a silent scream (alternatively, a scary/distant pose can be substituted), and thrust left leg forward.

Step 4 – CRADLE

Extend left arm up sideways (shoulder-level), with thumb extended and fingers curled back facing body. Stare at fingers (using facial expression from step 3).

Step 5 – GRIP IT

On your right hand, pinch thumb to index finger (holding imaginary pick), and bring right hand up to right shoulder area.

Step 6 – JAM OUT

Thrust right hand downward violently to rhythm of music, then back up to shoulder position. Repeat until music stops, adding additional facial expressions and body movement.

Step 7 – EXTREME IT

Raise level of difficulty by adding additional moves, such as the jump/kick combo, or kneeling/leaning back while playing.
*** Only advanced players should attempt the “Hendrix” (playing behind your head).

It comes in lots of sizes, too... (Don't say "For big butts")

Yes, kids, it comes in lots of sizes, too. And, if you're not sold, you can get a free sample to see for yourself. Apparently, the inventor (discoverer? revolutionary?) has even been on Oprah (never seen it, myself), and has a Wikipedia entry. Now there's a success story.